By: Andy Martinez

After a one-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons, Todd Gurley is once again on the market with no takers in sight seemingly. Truth be told, it is simply because the former 2017 ”˜Offensive Player of the Year’ just isn’t what he used to be.

Last season, Gurley rushed the ball 195 times for 678 yards, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry. It is also worth noting that he failed to hit double-digit touchdowns on the year, making a strong case for the 2020 season being the worst of his career.

However, Atlanta is not to blame for Todd Gurley’s dip in production last year. If we date back to his glory days in Los Angeles, it had been reported that Gurley was diagnosed with an ”˜arthritic component’ in his left knee. Three years later, despite efforts to reduce his workload throughout the season, Gurley’s durability and injury issues continue to be a burden on his NFL career.

Having said that, which two teams can afford to bring in Todd Gurley for the upcoming season?

New York Jets

The Jets are officially in full rebuild mode under the new regime of Robert Saleh. With the team having plenty of positional needs prior to the season, their Draft Day should be a busy one as they try filling starting roles with the first few rounds. However, I do not anticipate the Jets spending an early round pick on a running back this year. After Le’Veon Bell’s dramatic departure from New York, the Jets front office will surely think twice before investing big again at the running back position.

If the Jets did, however, decide to go for a running back with a second-day selection in the draft, the team would still be left with a backfield that lacks maturity and experience. Pairing that with a new system similar to Kyle Shannahan’s that expects plenty from its running backs would not make for a smooth sailing, especially with a rookie quarterback running the show.

For that very reason, Todd Gurley and the Jets would be perfect for each other this season. A one-year deal at market price would be smart investing for the Jets, especially with none of the current backs making anything past a million dollars this upcoming season.

Kansas City Chiefs

Yes, I know, a jump from the Jets to the Chiefs is a dramatic one. But luckily for Todd Gurley, the Chiefs might be one of few teams that could be in desperate need of his services this upcoming season.

For the Chiefs, drafting Clyde Edwards-Helaire last year didn’t exactly pan out how they had hoped. After an incredible NFL debut game, Edwards-Helaire struggled to hit his stride as the season progressed. Despite racking up 800 yards through the ground last season, the rookie running back’s play was erratic and inconsistent at times. In 7 of his 13 starts last season, CEH failed to rush for over 50 yards throughout the span of a single game. Not to mention the fact he only managed to find the endzone five times as the lead running back of one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. It’s fair to say that Edward-Helaire’s rookie season turned out to be a bit of a disappointment.

So where does Gurley fit in the mix? After evaluating CEH’s rookie season, the Chiefs should be in the market for veteran back. Until Edwards-Helaire is ready to carry the load as a cowbell back, the more appropriate approach for the Chiefs would be running back by committee.

Unlike LeVeon Bell, Gurley’s running style is far more punishing and comparable to CEH’s. This would allow Andy Reid more flexibility with his play-calling and limit the offense’s predictability.  

But, there is a catch. Kansas City is running tight on cap space. Striking a deal between the two would likely mean Gurley settling for a more team-friendly contract. Taking a pay cut is a lot easier with a Super Bowl ring at stake.

Closing Thoughts

Unfortunately for Todd Gurley, many teams around the league have already filled their need for a veteran running back. Those who have not, will likely turn to the draft for a younger and cheaper option.

Here is the thing, Todd Gurley isn’t a bad running back, he’s just not the feature back he used to be. In the right scheme with the right opportunities, Todd Gurley could really shine. It’s only a matter of who he plays for and at what price.

Make no mistake, teams will come calling after the draft. It will ultimately be up to him  what role he decides to take up in the next chapter of his NFL career.

The post Best Destinations For Todd Gurley appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Andy Martinez

After being released by the Washington Football Team last month, quarterback Alex Smith is now on the move in search of a new home, turning the latest page in his miraculous return to football.  

Smith, despite leading Washington to a 5-1 record in six starts last season, was deemed a cap casualty for the team. Prior to his injury in 2018, Alex Smith had signed a monster four-year, $94 million contract extension. The move to part ways cleared $14.9 million in cap space and, most importantly, gave a fresh start to both parties. Following his release, Smith went on to speak about the severed relationship with his team in an exclusive interview with GQ.

“They didn’t see it, didn’t want me there, didn’t want me to be a part of it, didn’t want me to be on the team, the roster, didn’t want to give me a chance,” Smith told GQ. “Mind you, it was a whole new regime, they came in; I’m like the leftovers and I’m hurt and I’m this liability.

Alex Smith’s future in the league is still up in the air. But after months of rehabilitation, it isn’t likely we will see Smith walk away from the game just yet.

With that being said, here are three teams that could use Alex Smith’s services this coming season:

Jacksonville Jaguars

With the NFL Draft looming closer, it won’t be a surprise who the Jaguars take with the first overall pick. Trevor Lawrence is undoubtedly the future of Jacksonville football. With that, it seems likely that the team will move on from Gardner Minshew, who is currently drawing in serious trade interest this offseason. If the team does decide to trade Minshew, the tradeoff could be a useful one in their rebuilding process for years to come.

Enter Alex Smith.

The strongest link to Jacksonville is none other than their new head coach, Urban Meyer. Smith played under Meyer at Utah University back in 2004. The duo led their team to an unbelievable 12-0 season, which they finished as the No. 4 ranked team in the nation.

A potential reunion with Meyer could be beneficial for both parties. Smith could serve as a great mentor and ease Lawrence into his transition to the NFL. The move to sign with Jacksonville also has the upside of potential playing time if things don’t go as smoothly for Lawrence early in the season. Not to mention, Smith could have himself a nice payday as Jacksonville currently holds about $39 million in cap space available, the most in the NFL.

Houston Texans

It feels safe to say we have seen the last of Deshaun Watson in a Texans uniform. The team has already signed Tyrod Taylor earlier this offseason, but his contract only guarantees a mere $2.5 million, a salary that seems average for a backup quarterback around the league.

So now does that make Houston a landing spot for Smith?

Just ask new head coach David Culley. When asked what he could do to turn his team around in one offseason he replied:

“Competition; You go out and get players because the team changes every year. You go out and look for people to bring in for competition and try to make your team better. With Free Agency and the Draft coming up, you go out and bring in competition and that’s the quickest way to get things going in the right direction”

Well, that competition will likely be where Alex Smith could come into play for the Texans. Houston does not have a single draft pick in the first two rounds of the draft, leaving them officially out of the QB sweepstakes that will take place in the first round.

For what it is worth, Alex Smith has some familiarity with Culley from his days with the Kansas City Chiefs. Alex Smith is a serviceable veteran quarterback who is looking for a second chance in this league. He just might be what the Texans are looking for.

Indianapolis Colts

Yes, even with after the trade acquisition of Carson Wentz, the Colts should still be active bidders for Alex Smith this season. Wentz has been a giant question mark at quarterback as of late, and there is still a chance that even a change of scenery won’t get him to turn things around. If that does end up being the case, it would be wise for the Colts to sign a quarterback behind Wentz who can lead the team down the stretch.

Indianapolis could very be the most ideal situation for Smith this season. There is real potential for some playing time and if the opportunity ever presented itself, he’d be doing it behind one of the best offensive line units in the league.

 The Colts are a team that is ready to win now. Smith could very easily put himself in a position to compete for a spot in the playoffs. As far as getting paid goes, money shouldn’t be an issue. Just ask Jacoby Brissett who made more than $20 million last season as Phillip Rivers’ backup.

The post Three Potential Landing Spots for QB Alex Smith appeared first on Pro Football Mania.